On Christmas Eve, December 24, a significant rescue operation unfolded at the Superdévoluy ski area in France's Hautes-Alpes, where around 240 skiers were stranded due to the failure of the La Festoure chairlift. The unfortunate incident took place just before 1 p.m., when electrical problems rendered the lift inoperable, prompting local authorities to mobilize substantial resources for the rescue.
Rescuers from various agencies worked tirelessly to bring the skiers to safety, employing helicopters for evacuations and abseiling operations for those still stuck on the chairs. The Air Section of the gendarmerie was dispatched to assist, alongside four rescuers from the high mountain gendarmerie platoon, local gendarmes, firefighters from the mountain rescue group, and the lift team from Superdévoluy. By 4:45 p.m., the Hautes-Alpes prefecture confirmed the successful completion of the evacuation, reporting no injuries among those rescued.
Superdévoluy is located within the Dévoluy Massif of the French Alps, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Grenoble Airport. It is well-known for its family-friendly atmosphere and diverse range of slopes, catering to skiers of all experience levels. This resort, along with its sister resort, La Joue du Loup, offers 100 kilometers (62 miles) of connected pistes between elevations of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) to 2,510 meters (8,235 feet).
Interestingly, the Superdévoluy incident was not the only chairlift malfunction this holiday season. Simultaneously, about 100 skiers were also stranded at the La Norma ski resort due to another lift breakdown, which was reported separately by TF1. Fortunately, there was no report of injuries here either.
Dramatic video footage surfaced on social media, showing skiers anxiously dangling from the immobilized chairs below the hovering helicopters. According to reports, this incident followed closely after the death of Sophie Hediger, who tragically lost her life in an avalanche at the Arosa resort, highlighting the risks associated with winter sports.
Despite this rescue operation’s scale, it’s worth noting it was conducted swiftly and effectively under challenging conditions. Skiers were reported to have been trapped for three to four hours before being freed, and efforts to support those displaced included establishing reception areas for evacuees by local authorities.
Resorts across Europe and North America have experienced troublesome starts to the ski season, with several lifts malfunctioning and incidents occurring, raising concerns about safety standards and equipment reliability. While some reports indicated injuries resulting from similar accidents elsewhere, the outcomes at Superdévoluy and La Norma were fortunate by comparison.
Operational disruptions like these can significantly impact holiday travelers; nevertheless, effective communication and prompt rescue operations were key to averting tragedy this time around. Authorities emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of all visitors to the French Alps.
With the ski season now at its peak, thorough reviews of lift systems and emergency protocols will likely take precedence, as resorts aim to bolster confidence among skiers and their families. Efforts are set to include audits and checks on equipment across many resorts, ensuring the safety of winter sports enthusiasts.
While holiday skiers at Superdévoluy can recount their harrowing experience with the La Festoure chairlift, they can also be thankful for the swift and coordinated response from local authorities, who ensured their safe return to solid ground without any injuries.
